Depending on your cooking needs, you will need to pick the best pots and pans to meet them. Sauce pans are best for steaming vegetables, boiling water, or cooking sauces. These types of pans also work great for reheating food. Canned vegetables and soups also work well in sauce pans. They are probably the most versatile type of pans any household could have.

Larger kettles or stock pots are great for cooking larger quantities of food. They are obviously good for soups and stews, as well as cooking pasta. If you are up for a lobster, they fit well in a larger-sized kettle.

Sauté pans are perfect for sautéing foods like fish, chicken, steak or vegetables. These pans also work great as a wok for cooking a stir-fry and make for a great frying pan.

Cooking a Stir-Fry

One of the most enjoyable uses you can get out of a sauté pan is stir-fry. With a stir-fry, you are the creator of your recipe. There is no "right" way to cook a stir-fry. It can be whatever you have on hand or whatever you most prefer in the way of vegetables and meat. A stir-fry can be made with shrimp, chicken or beef (or pan-fried tofu for vegetarians). They can be made with a wide variety of vegetables as well, including carrots, sugar snap peas, peppers, broccoli, onion, green beans, or mushrooms.

Your ingredients are usually cooked in olive oil. Start with the meat and then push it off to the side of your pan to keep warm. Finish up the cooking with the vegetables in the middle.

You can also create a variety of sauces that are sweet-and-sour, savory, salty or tangy. Use garlic, orange juice, ginger, soy sauce, or your own favorite seasoning and flavors. Top with diced canned pineapple, chopped cashews, Sriracha (hot) sauce, or fresh mung bean sprouts for a textural and flavor explosion.

Picking the right pots and pans is essential for great cooking. A good cook considers more than just what the right ingredients are in a meal; a good cook knows the right tools to use to make it all come together.

You can pick the perfect pots and pans by personalizing your collection, considering the cooking techniques you use most often, and knowing the right types to use and the level of care you want to invest in your cookware. This will help make your cooking experience far more enjoyable and your food turn out even more delicious.

Don't underestimate the importance of your pots and pans when purchasing them. When it comes to cooking, they serve as an important investment. Make your decisions carefully and purposefully when picking out pots and pans.